Project Kuleana 2 was produced with the generous support of the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
About Project Kuleana
Project KULEANA was created by three Native Hawaiian men who share the perspective that KULEANA is what makes music Hawaiian. A KULEANA to the ‘āina (land) and our strong ancestral connection to it. Project KULEANA aspires to increase the innate value of Hawaiian music and the performance of it to inspire people to reflect on one’s own KULEANA. Project KULEANA seeks to encourage people to re-discover, re-connect and re-instill what Hawaiian music and performers of Hawaiian music represent. With support from the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, ʻŌiwi TV was honored to collaborate with the Project Kuleana Producers and Makauila, Inc. to produce Project Kuleana 2.
Kīhei Nahale-a
Kīhei Nahale-a is from Hilo, Hawai‘i. His passion for music stems from his inspiration to learn more about his grandfather Albert Nahale-a, a composer, arranger and choir director. Kīhei grew up hearing countless stories from family and friends about how his grandfather through music helped to improve the communities of his beloved home of Hilo and Keaukaha. Kīhei’s goal is to follow in his kupuna’s footsteps and help to develop and maintain what is good about Hawaiʻi for his keiki, ʻohana and beloved Hawaiʻi.
Sean Nāleimaile
Sean Nāleimaile was raised in Kaimukī, Oʻahu and learned to play the ʻukulele from his great-grandmother. His passion for playing Hawaiian music was fostered during his intermediate school years and he began playing professionally while in high school. Sean’s high school band played in the very first Brown Bags to Stardom contest at Castle Park in 1981. Since then he has played music throughout the state, as well as Japan, New Zealand, and the Continental US and continues to love the idea of getting together with friends to make music. With a beautiful wife, six beautiful daughters and six awesome grandchildren, Sean’s vision of kuleana is to provide them with a good foundation and connection to their ancestral lineage. Using his foundation of music makes connecting the things that mean the most to him very rewarding.
Kamakoa Lindsey-Asing
Kamakoa Lindsey-Asing was born and raised in Waimea, Hawaiʻi. Hawaiian music has always been a prominent aspect in his upbringing, and has provided him with the most solid foundation on which he continues to build upon. He comes from the paniolo musical influence of his Lindsey line as well as the musical welo of his Asing line in the hills of Papakōlea. He has 3 kaikamahine, Keliʻihālaʻihulumanu, Kawainuiomānā and Hāweomōlaʻeleleuli, and a beautiful wife who provides the necessary kākoʻo, Ipolei.
Behind the Scenes of Project Kuleana 2
Take a look at some Behind the Scenes footage from the production of Project Kuleana 2.
Photo Gallery
More manaʻo from PK2 artists
While on location throughout the paeʻāina with our artists, we were fortunate to sit with some of them and talk story about who they are, where they are from, and their thoughts on various topics from Hawaiian music and perpetuating traditional knowledge to men’s health. Click on the tabs below to hear what they had to share with us.
Project Kuleana 2 Release
The release of Project Kuleana 2 was celebrated by funders, artists, and community members on May 2nd, 2015 at the Nā Lama Kukui building which is the headquarters of OHA. Take a look at the story behind the release.
